CVE-2024-44012 Overview
CVE-2024-44012 is a path traversal vulnerability in the wpdev33 WP Newsletter Subscription plugin for WordPress. The flaw enables PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) by failing to restrict user-supplied input used in file path construction. All versions of WP Newsletter Subscription up to and including 1.1 are affected. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory).
Critical Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can include arbitrary local PHP files on the server, potentially leading to sensitive data disclosure, configuration leakage, and remote code execution when combined with file upload primitives.
Affected Products
- wpdev33 WP Newsletter Subscription plugin for WordPress
- WP Newsletter Subscription versions from n/a through 1.1
- WordPress sites running the wp-newsletter-subscription plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-05 - CVE-2024-44012 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-44012
Vulnerability Analysis
The WP Newsletter Subscription plugin contains a path traversal weakness that allows attackers to traverse outside the intended directory using sequences such as ../. The plugin accepts user-controlled input and passes it into a PHP file inclusion function without sanitization or path canonicalization. This results in PHP Local File Inclusion, where attacker-supplied paths are interpreted by the PHP runtime and executed as code if they resolve to a PHP file on disk. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host WordPress installation.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of input validation on a parameter used in a PHP include, require, or equivalent function. The plugin does not enforce an allowlist of permitted files, does not strip directory traversal sequences, and does not restrict inclusion to a predefined safe base directory. This pattern matches the classic CWE-22 path traversal weakness leading to LFI.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is reachable over the network through HTTP requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. Exploitation requires user interaction, such as a logged-in user or administrator visiting a crafted link. An attacker crafts a request containing a traversal payload pointing to a target file, for example wp-config.php, log files, or uploaded files containing PHP payloads. The PHP interpreter then evaluates the included file in the context of the WordPress process.
For technical details, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44012
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to plugin endpoints containing directory traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or URL-encoded variants
- Unexpected access to sensitive files including wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP session files via plugin parameters
- PHP error log entries referencing failed include or require calls originating from wp-newsletter-subscription files
- Outbound connections or new PHP files written to the wp-content/uploads directory following suspicious plugin traffic
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests targeting wp-newsletter-subscription paths with parameters containing .. or encoded traversal patterns
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to flag and block path traversal payloads against WordPress plugin endpoints
- Monitor file integrity for unauthorized modifications to WordPress core files and the wp-content/plugins directory
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose PHP error logging to capture include-related failures referencing the vulnerable plugin
- Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation against known LFI signatures
- Alert on any process spawned by the PHP-FPM or web server user that executes shell commands following plugin requests
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44012
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the WP Newsletter Subscription plugin from all WordPress installations until a patched version is confirmed available
- Audit web server and application logs for prior exploitation attempts targeting the plugin
- Rotate WordPress secrets, database credentials, and API keys if wp-config.php may have been disclosed
Patch Information
No fixed version is identified in the available advisory data. The vulnerability affects WP Newsletter Subscription from n/a through 1.1. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest remediation status and replace the plugin with a maintained alternative if no patch is forthcoming.
Workarounds
- Block requests containing path traversal sequences at the WAF or reverse proxy layer
- Restrict PHP open_basedir to confine the WordPress process to its document root, preventing inclusion of files outside the web directory
- Apply least-privilege file permissions so the web server user cannot read sensitive system files such as /etc/passwd or shadow credentials
# Configuration example: restrict PHP file inclusion scope via open_basedir
# Add to php.ini or site-specific PHP-FPM pool configuration
open_basedir = "/var/www/html/:/tmp/"
disable_functions = "exec,passthru,shell_exec,system,proc_open,popen"
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
